Bottles of champagne are stacked in the Maison Moet et Chandon underground galleries in Epernay September 21, 2010. The champagne bottles are stored in 28km of galleries which are situated some 10 to 30 metres below their historic site.

Bottles of champagne are stacked in the Maison Moet et Chandon underground galleries in Epernay September 21, 2010. The champagne bottles are stored in 28km of galleries which are situated some 10 to 30 metres below their historic site. (Jacky Naegelen / Reuters)

The Abbey of Hautvillers, eastern France, is pictured during the traditional Champagne wine harvest October 8, 2013. The famous champagne Dom Perignon, the prestige cuvee of Moet & Chandon, is named for the monk who made important contributions to the quality and production of Champagne wine....

The Abbey of Hautvillers, eastern France, is pictured during the traditional Champagne wine harvest October 8, 2013. The famous champagne Dom Perignon, the prestige cuvee of Moet & Chandon, is named for the monk who made important contributions to the quality and production of Champagne wine.... (Benoit Tessier / Reuters)

The Abbey of Hautvillers, eastern France, is pictured during the traditional Champagne wine harvest October 8, 2013. The famous champagne Dom Perignon, the prestige cuvee of Moet & Chandon, is named for the monk who made important contributions to the quality and production of Champagne wine....

The Abbey of Hautvillers, eastern France, is pictured during the traditional Champagne wine harvest October 8, 2013. The famous champagne Dom Perignon, the prestige cuvee of Moet & Chandon, is named for the monk who made important contributions to the quality and production of Champagne wine.... (Benoit Tessier / Reuters)

France's bustling, modern Reims greets travelers with cellar doors wide open. As the capital of the Champagne region, it features a lively center, a historic cathedral, and, of course, Champagne tasting. And thanks to France's slick, high-speed rail, it's just 45 minutes from Paris -- making it an easy day trip.

Reims (pronounced like "rance") has a turbulent history: This is where French kings were crowned, where Champagne first bubbled, where WWI devastation met miraculous reconstruction, and where the Germans officially surrendered in 1945, bringing World War II to a close in Europe. The town's sights give you an informative, entertaining peek at the entire story.

Start at Reims Cathedral -- a glorious example of Gothic architecture and one of Europe's greatest churches. Built under the direction of four different architects, the church was started about 1211 and mostly finished just 60 years later. Thanks to this quick turnaround, it's remarkable for its unity and harmony. As a royal coronation site, it is to France what Westminster Abbey is to England.

For a memorable experience, join the crowd in front of the cathedral for a free, 25-minute sound-and-light show on most summer evenings. I've struggled with the idea that some of Europe's wonderful Gothic church facades were boldly painted in the 13th and 14th centuries. In Reims, the sound-and-light show did a good job of helping me envision how they might have looked to a medieval peasant. Sit directly in front of the cathedral or settle more comfortably into a seat at a cafe with a clear view through the trees.

When wonderstruck by Gothic cathedrals, I often contemplate the lives of the people who built these huge buildings back in the 13th century. Construction on a scale like this required a community effort: It was all hands on deck. Most townsfolk who participated donated their money or their labor knowing that they would likely never see it completed -- such was their pride, faith and dedication. Master masons supervised, while the average Jean-Claude did much of the sweaty work. Labor was something that even the poorest medieval peasant could donate generously.

In addition to spiritual nourishment, Reims offers a more earthly delight -- Champagne. Though many wine-growing regions in France produce sparkling wines, only the bubbly beverage from this region can be called Champagne. While the ancient Romans planted the first grapes here, Champagne was not "invented" until the late 17th century, and then it was by virtue of necessity -- the local climate and soil did not produce competitive still wines. Today it is commonly regarded as the finest sparkling wine in the world.

Reims offers many opportunities to visit its world-famous Champagne cellars. All charge entry fees, most have several daily English tours and most require a reservation (only Taittinger allows drop-in visits). Which should you visit? Martel offers the most personal and best-value tour. Taittinger and Mumm have the most impressive cellars. Veuve Clicquot is popular with Americans and fills up weeks in advance. All told, Mumm is closest to the city center and train station, and offers one of the best tours in Reims (http://www.mumm.com). Reservations are essential, especially on weekends.

As you stroll across town to a Champagne cellar, keep an eye open for "Biscuits Roses" -- light, rose-colored egg-and-sugar cookies that have been made here since 1756. They're the locals' favorite munchie to accompany a glass of Champagne -- you're supposed to dunk them, but I like them dry (many places that sell these treats offer free samples).

Allies probably celebrated with Champagne on May 7, 1945, after Germans signed the document of surrender for all German forces. WWII buffs enjoy visiting the Museum of the Surrender (Musee de la Reddition), the place where it happened. The news was announced the next day, turning May 8 into Victory in Europe (V-E) Day. The museum's extensive collection of artifacts is fascinating, and it's thrilling to see the war room where Eisenhower managed Allied operations -- and where the European part of the war ultimately ended.

While World War II left the city unscathed, World War I devastated Reims. It was the biggest city on France's Western Front, and it was hammered -- around 65 percent of Reims was destroyed by shelling. Parts of the city center were entirely rebuilt in the 1920s. You'll see the stylized features -- geometric reliefs, motifs in ironwork, rounded corners and simple concrete elegance -- of Art Deco. If it looks eclectic, that's because the mayor at the time said to build any way you like -- just build.

With its breathtaking Gothic cathedral, historic cityscape, and beloved Champagne cellars, Reims is intoxicating. My time here reminded me of how much fun it is to enjoy modern French culture in a sizeable city that isn't Paris.

Lately, I've really been enjoying what I consider to be the "second cities" of Europe, such as Naples in Italy, Marseille in France and Hamburg in Germany. These places often have a rough, Industrial Age heritage and a rust-belt vibe that keeps them honest, unvarnished and nonconformist. Even...